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Leucite-pollucite structure-type variability and the structure of a synthetic end-member calcium wairakite (CaAl2Si4O12·2H2O)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 July 2018
Abstract
The structure of a synthetic end-member wairakite (CaAl2Si4O12·2H2O) has been determined using Rietveld analysis of high-resolution, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and 29Si and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The framework in the synthetic sample is more disordered than that in natural wairakite. Ca is distributed over the cavity cation sites M2, M12A, M12B in the approximate proportions 0.8:0.1:0.1, respectively, with M11 being vacant. 29Si MAS NMR data are consistent with about 80% of the Si occupying tetrahedral T11 and T12 sites linked to two Al atoms [Q4(2Al) silicons]. Tetrahedral and cavity cation site disorder are coupled so that Al mainly occupies T2 sites, with Ca in M12A and M12B being balanced by Al in T12A and T12B; T11A and T11B sites appear to only contain Si, in agreement with the M11 site being vacant. The crystal chemistries of the wide range of stoichiometries which crystallize with the leucite/pollucite structure-type are also reviewed, with particular attention being paid to the tetrahedral ordering configurations present in these phases, and the implications to crystallographic phase transitions.
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- Research Article
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- Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1998
Footnotes
Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW
Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ
Department of Chemistry, imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, London SW7 2AY
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